Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) (3 page)

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Beau put his feet up on the coffee table and took a sip of his wine. Damn, that was good. He shook his head with a rueful smile. And now he only had one bottle of it to enjoy. What the hell had he been thinking? Two hundred bucks! And he’d just thrust the bottle at that woman. That breathtaking woman with the voice like warm honey. The one he would no doubt never see again. What an idiot! He picked up a piece of cheese and a cracker. Ah well. Maybe it’d do him good to make a fool of himself now and then. He hadn’t done anything so stupid in a long time, if ever. Normally he liked to make sure every move was well thought out, every word was carefully chosen. He smiled. Wouldn’t it give Wanda a laugh to know what he’d done? She’d probably demand a raise, if he could give two hundred dollars’ worth of wine to a complete stranger, he could damned well give her a couple more bucks an hour! He could hear her.

He picked up the remote and turned on the TV. Time to get the movie going and get his mind off Beautiful Woman. She’d been the highlight of his Friday night, and that was a good thing. But wasn’t it really a bad thing? That he had so little going on in his life that a chance encounter with an attractive stranger was the best thing that had happened to him in a long time.

He stared at the TV for a few moments. He didn’t really have a life outside of work, so when was anything good supposed to happen? These last few months he’d been getting together with his brothers and their girls for dinner once a week. He enjoyed that. But that was the sum total of his social life. He sighed. He didn’t normally care. Hell, it suited him, it was his choice. He couldn’t let bumping into Beautiful Woman change the way he felt about himself and his world. Maybe he just needed more going on. He stared at the TV while he wondered about it. The commercials came on and he watched a wild black stallion gallop across the screen. That was it. There was one thing he enjoyed doing, and hadn’t done in way too long. Tomorrow he’d go down to the ranch and take his horse Troy out. He rarely made time to ride any more, but he always felt happier when he did.

He smiled and lifted his glass up in a toast to thin air. “Thanks, Beautiful.” He’d never see her again, but the green-eyed beauty at Deb’s had still managed to give him something to smile about.

The next morning Beau took his time showering. He decided not to shave. It wasn’t like him, but he didn’t want to feel like him today. At least not the him he’d become. He wanted to go back to being the old Beau. The one who would tumble out of bed at the ranch with his brothers early on a Saturday morning so that they could all ride out checking fences. That Beau would never have even stopped to think about whether or not he should shave.

He toweled himself down and walked into his closet. Riding jeans, where were they? He had to go all the way to the back and dig to the bottom of his jeans shelf. Wow. It really had been too long. He found his favorite shirt back there too, the red one. Why hadn’t he worn it in so long that it was folded up all the way back here? He shook his head. It’d get worn again today.

When he was ready he locked the house up and ran down the front steps. He drove the truck whenever he went down to the ranch, but he had to stop and check the Merc was locked on his way out. Of course it was. He climbed in the truck and started it up. Today was a good day. The sun was shining, he was going to take Troy out. He’d go say hi to his folks. He hadn’t stopped in on them for a while, though he did call every other evening to make sure they were okay. He had a big surprise he wanted to spring on them soon, too. Not today though, that could wait a while yet.

When he got to the ranch he spotted Mason out in the arena. He had a kid on one of the ponies. Beau smiled. It seemed he wasn’t the only one wanting to go back to an earlier version of himself. Mason hadn’t given kids riding lessons in years. He focused on the stud these days, and training the horses himself. He only gave occasional clinics, and they weren’t for kids.

Beau parked by the barn and wandered down to lean on the fence and watch. His smile faded a little when he recognized the blonde curls. Ruby! He almost turned around and walked away before she spotted him. He’d named her the two-foot tyrant when she was here visiting with her aunt and uncle. Now she was back. To live apparently. Beau didn’t even want to imagine what the mother must be like. What kind of woman could have spawned that little monster?

“Beau!” Mason called to him before he could make his escape. He led the pony and its rider over to the fence. “Good to see you. What are you doing out here?”

He shrugged. “I thought I’d take Troy out.”

Mason grinned.

“Who’s Troy?” asked Ruby. “Can I come?”

Beau shook his head rapidly and looked to Mason for help.

Mason gave Ruby a stern look. “Do we talk when we’re having a riding lesson?”

Ruby hung her head. “Only when you ask a question.”

Mason grinned at Beau again. Apparently he had somehow managed to tame the mini demon. For his part, Beau would rather just avoid her.

“He’s out behind the barn,” said Mason. “I was thinking I might take him out myself, since you can’t get out here that often.”

Beau nodded. It wasn’t a criticism, he knew that. Mason just liked to look out for the horses, make sure they weren’t left out to graze without proper exercise for too long. It sure felt like criticism though.

Mason pushed his shoulder. “Don’t look like that. I’m glad you’re here to take him. He rides better for you than anyone else. You’re his very own human.”

Beau’s smile returned at that. Mason sure knew how to handle him. He usually managed to push all the right buttons to keep him smiling.

“Can I come?” Ruby asked again.

Mason gave her the same stern look.

“But I want to go with Beau!” This time she didn’t back down.

Mason shook his head. “How about you wait here with Beau a minute while I just run inside?” He looked at Beau. “I’ll be right back.”

Beau could hardly refuse, much as he’d like to. He climbed over the fence and took hold of the lead rein.

“This is Gypsy,” said Ruby.

Beau nodded. He’d rather not engage in conversation if he could avoid it. He started walking, leading Gypsy and her mini rider around the arena. It beat standing around and hopefully would keep Ruby quiet.

“My mommy…”

Beau turned to look at her with what he hoped was the same stern look Mason had used. “Do we talk while we’re having a riding lesson?”

Ruby’s eyebrows knit together and her bottom lip started to slide out. Oh, shit! All the warning signs of a storm about to hit.

“That’s right. We don’t. Good girl.” He turned back and urged Gypsy into a trot, hoping that would avert disaster. It did.

Mason came back out from the barn and smiled as he let himself into the arena. “Good job, Ruby. You’re doing great!”

That brought a smile back to her face. Beau led her back to Mason and handed over the lead rein. “There. I’m out of here.”

Mason laughed. “Coward.”

Beau tipped his hat with a grin. “That’d be me! See ya!”

He let himself out of the arena and started walking back to the barn. Then he stopped in his tracks. Could it be? There was a woman walking down the path from the lodge toward him. A very beautiful woman. Either his eyes were playing tricks on him or it really was Beautiful Woman.

He held his breath as he watched her approach. Her stride faltered as she recognized him, too. Then she continued toward him, her beautiful smile causing that dimple to deepen. Man! She was gorgeous.

“Hello again,” she said when she reached him, her voice slid over him, wrapped him in its warmth and, if he wasn’t mistaken, slipped its fingers inside his pants for a moment.

“Hello.” That was all he had? Hello? He really had to up his game here.

“Thank you for the wine. You really shouldn’t have, though.”

He shrugged.

“Look at meeee!” For God’s sake. All he needed was Ruby ruining this for him. He was making enough of a mess of it by himself. Then a thought struck him. He didn’t want Beautiful Woman thinking that the kid was his! He didn’t want her to think he was an asshole either. He turned to look. “Good job, Ruby. You’re doing great.” So what if he had to borrow Mason’s words? The only ones he could come up with himself weren’t the kind he could say out loud to a five year old!

He turned back to Beautiful Woman, she was smiling. Apparently impressed by his ability to appease the monster. He smiled back. “She’s not mine.”

He couldn’t figure out the look on Beautiful’s face, she was still smiling, but there was something strange in her eyes. “No?”

He shook his head. “Hell, no. I don’t have kids.”

“You don’t like kids?”

Oh, shit. Was he walking himself into an ambush here? He shrugged. “I don’t really know many.” Hopefully that was an acceptable out.

“Except Ruby?”

He nodded. “Yeah, and she’s a monster. She gives kids a bad name.”

“I see.”

The look on that beautiful face said he had well and truly blown it. That was hardly fair though, was it? They’d known each other for a grand total of five minutes. Surely she couldn’t be judging him on his parental potential already? Time to change the subject. He held his hand out. “I guess we’ve made it to the stage where we should introduce ourselves. I’m Beau.”

She nodded and shook his hand briefly. Her smile was still there, but it was merely polite now. “It’s nice to meet you, Beau. I’m Corinne.” She raised an eyebrow, apparently waiting for some reaction. Should he know her name for some reason?

She sighed. “Ruby’s mom.”

He could feel the blood drain from his face. He didn’t know which was worse: the fact that he’d just told this beautiful woman that her daughter gave kids a bad name, or the fact that she was the two-foot tyrant’s mother. He nodded. He didn’t have any words.

She pursed her lips and nodded back at him. She wasn’t happy. Not happy at all.

“Well, it was nice meeting you.” He tipped his hat at her and beat a hasty retreat to the barn. Wonderful! Just wonderful. Wasn’t that just his luck? He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair. The most beautiful woman he’d ever met and she had to be the mother of the brat! He blew out a big sigh. “Fuck it!” He muttered under his breath.

“Are you okay?” Summer popped her head out from one of the stalls.

What the hell? Was everyone out here today?

He nodded. “I’ll survive.”

She came out and closed the door behind her. “Are you sure? You sounded pretty upset. What is it?”

Beau shrugged. He wasn’t into talking about his problems, or his personal life, with anyone. If he was he might start with Summer. She was good people. She had a kind heart. She seemed like she cared about everyone, even him. He smiled. “It’s nothing. Really. I just messed up. I made a fool of myself.”

She gave him an inquiring look.

He shook his head. “Explaining it would be reliving it, and I’m still cringing from the first time.”

She laughed. “I know how that goes.”

Beau couldn’t believe that, but it was sweet of her to say it. “Anyway. It’s good to see you. I’m just on my way out to get to Troy.”

“Okay. Have fun.”

“Thanks.” He made his way down the aisle of stalls, headed for the back door. He’d almost reached it when Summer called after him.

“Oh, and Beau. Dinner’s at our place this week. Wednesday. Can you make it?”

“I’ll be there. Thanks, Summer.” He went out through the door with a smile on his face. At least that was something to look forward. He enjoyed the family dinners they’d been taking turns to host. He was feeling closer to his brothers than he had in years. He’d even hosted himself one week. Of course all the girls had helped. It had been fun.

He spotted Troy grazing down by the creek. He whistled and smiled as Troy’s head came up and he looked around. When he saw Beau he gave a loud neigh and came cantering over. That made Beau smile. Troy hadn’t forgotten him, though he had every right to. He came and butted his shoulder, then snuffled around his pocket. Beau hadn’t forgotten either. He pulled out one of Troy’s favorite mints. “There you go, old fella.”

Troy crunched the mint then lifted his head and peeled his lips back looking for all the world as if he was laughing. Beau laughed with him. He had to laugh. What else could he do? He’d just blown his chances with Beautiful, from now on to be known as Corinne, mother of the monster. He may as well laugh, saddle up his old buddy and get out into the back country for a few hours.

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Corinne walked down to the arena with a heavy lump of disappointment lodged in her stomach. What could she expect? Her tall, dark stranger was heavy on the good-looking. And good-looking guys never seemed to like kids. Why would they? They could have their pick of all the young, pretty girls who came with no strings and no complications. She shook her head. It wasn’t even that. Yes, she found him attractive, but he was a no-go anyway. It was his obvious dislike for Ruby that hurt her. Ruby was a good kid. Okay, so she was strong-willed. That was a good thing. Beau had said she gave kids a bad name! That was a horrible thing to say about any child. She reached the fence and sighed.

“Look at meeee, Mommy!” Ruby called again as Mason led her around the far side of the arena at a trot.

Corinne smiled. Ruby looked so happy. Screw Beau Remington! The guy must have a heart of stone not to find her adorable.

Mason smiled and led the pony over to where Corinne was standing. They stopped when they reached her.

“I’m a natural,” said Ruby with a big grin. “Mr. Mason said so.”

Corinne grinned back.

“What’s a natural?”

Mason laughed. “It means you ride like someone who was born to ride.”

Ruby nodded solemnly. “I was born to ride. I love Gypsy. I love riding. Riding is my new favorite thing in the whole world. I’m going to ride every day now.”

Corinne exchanged a look with Mason. That wasn’t going to be possible. Corinne wasn’t going to have either the time or the money to make it happen.

Mason smiled. “Not every day, Ruby, no. But sometimes, if your mom tells me you’ve been a really good girl, then you can have a lesson.”

“I’m always good.”

Mason gave her a stern look.

“Sometimes. I’ll be good all the time if you let me ride Gypsy.”

Mason caught Corinne’s eye and she gave him a grateful smile. It seemed he’d already figured out how to handle her daughter and get the best out of her. It was a pity his brother…No. She had to stop that line of thought before she got started with it.

“Well, I’ll be checking in with your mom. So you’d better be good, okay?”

“I will.”

“Okay. Do you remember how to dismount?”

Ruby nodded and put both reins in one hand before sliding her feet out of the stirrups. She swung one leg over behind the saddle and slid down to the ground. Corinne had to smile, she really did look like a natural.

“Good job!” said Mason.

Ruby grinned at him before turning to Corinne. “Some people leave one foot in the stirrup to help them climb down. Around here we don’t do that, just in case the pony moves away. We don’t want to fall and get dragged along by our foot.”

Corinne wanted to laugh. It was obvious she was reciting word for word what Mason had told her.